American Crocodile Education Sanctuary

Help Take a Bite Out of Extinction!

Belize, Latin Amer

Follow ACES crocodile adventures, rescues, relocations and croc education. Be sure to check ACES Blog everyday! The New ACES is underway, and lot's of great croc research and other crocodile things are happening everyday!

Finally the airing date is actually here! I'm trying to find a link to a trailer or a live stream where people in the USA can view it so stay tuned. But here is the link to Discovery Channel's Animal Planet "Willdlife SOS" Episode 10 and 11 this season with Simon Cowell of Wildlife Aide in Belize with ACES! YEAH! If anyone finds a trailer or live stream viewing PLEASE let us know!

Finally the airing date is actually here! I'm trying to find a link to a trailer or a live stream where people in the USA can view it so stay tuned. But here is the link to Discovery Channel's Animal Planet "Willdlife SOS" Episode 10 and 11 this season with Simon Cowell of Wildlife Aide in Belize with ACES! YEAH! If anyone finds a trailer or live stream viewing PLEASE let us know!

It’s been 3 years since I was last in Belize, but part of me felt like I never left. Maybe it’s because I am just continuing what I started- investigating how human pollution and disturbances are affecting parasites and disease in the crocodiles of Belize. Many people ask, “Why do you care about what happens to crocodiles?” If you REALLY understand about how the environment works, you know that crocodiles are on top of the food chain where they live, they are like the lions of the jungle, the king. And if something bad happens to them, it will be a negative domino effect on the rest of the environment, even effecting humans. Anytime there has been mass populations of crocodilians dying, or being killed senselessly, its always come back and bite people in the butt, either through food (because the fish disappear), or through economy (because many communities use crocodilians as a way of ecotourism, many African villages have become VERY successful and economically stable about this).

So I came back to Ambergris to take science samples of the crocodiles on the island to see how healthy they are. And if you think about it, if they are not healthy, what does that say about the health of the people on the island? Both crocodiles and people are eating the same food (shrimp, crab, fish) and drinking the same water. So depending on what my samples say will have a great impact on how the people of Ambergris should react how they are treating their homes, environment, and the crocodiles. I always found it was interesting that the ancestors of the Mayans, the Olmecs and Toltecs, praised crocodiles, respected them. Actually, according to them we all were made from a crocodile being in the sky- we all have crocodile blood in us! And there are various human populations around the world that to this day still love and respect the crocodile- killing one is seen as a bad omen and a disrespect for nature and the community, as they understand the negative effects their livlihood will have if the crocodiles disappear. So I’m hoping with my research, with the assistance of ACES, can help restore that respect and understanding for the crocodile that our ancestors. If people thousands of years ago understood the importance of crocodiles, I would think our modern society would as well.

This project was funded via a grant from The Rufford Small Grants Foundation and private anonymous donors. The property owners and The Belize Forest Department, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development, Belmopan, Belize, provided permission for the surveys. Aerial surveying and photographs were made possible with the assistance of LightHawk. Binoculars were donated by Optics for the Tropics. Additional co-operation was provided by Thomas Rainwater. Charlie Manolis is thanked for his considerable support and assistance in the preparation of this article. Vince Rose and Chris Summers of ACES/American Crocodile Education Sanctuary contributed invaluable field efforts.

Wildlife SOS is a TV show on Animal Planet, based in the UK's Wildlife Aid in Leatherhead, Surrey. The show has been running since 1996 and produced by Simon Cowell's Wild Productions. And can be found on Animal Planet, Channel 5 and DMAX (relative to May 2009). It is run almost completely by volunteers. Whilst Simon (founder of the charity) is often wandering around the British country side, rescuing injured, sick or orphaned wildlife, other volunteers are usually at the hospital treating and raising patients, so they can be ready to be released back into the wild.

On a recent CSI: Belize Croc Excursion we had a live rescue. Vince caught a croc which reportedly ate bait off a fishing line. Sure enough the hook was still in the croc's mouth. Vince removed the hook and the guests named the little croc "Lucky Lief." He was relocated, microchipped, and re-released. What a great night! Photos by Kendra Larson and Joy Stevens. Thank you all for your trip truly rescued this American crocodile. For more pictures go to ACES's Photos.

A fascinating documentary series about women throughout the world.
This breathtaking series takes you on a journey to the most distant and unique places in the world. Our host is Martyna Wojciechowska, an editor of “National Geographic” magazine, a brave traveller who reached Seven Summits. She introduces you to amazing women and leads you through different cultures, religions, and professions.
In Africa, you have a chance to witness doctors and nurses dedicated to saving sight to the blind, a Ghanaian witch living in isolation and a South African lady treating a hippopotamus like a member of her family.
Asia introduces to you Thai giraffe neck women devoted to tradition of their tribe, Japanese ‘hime gyaru’ - modern princesses, and Indian guardians of the Hindu temple and its inhabitants – 20 000 rats.
Mexico surprises you with the bravery of a woman bullfighter, Samoa shocks with Fa’afafine – men living like typical women, Australia gets your adrenaline going at a higher level with extreme sports lovers.
This fresh approach to the notion of cultural diversity has already stolen the hearts of millions.

And yes, this season in Belize, I will be one the "amazing women" she introduces you to, rescuing crocodiles!

Starting the year off on the right foot, Vince spends two days training Belize Forest Department (BFD) Wildlife Officers & Fisheries how to safely handle American crocodiles. For more photos CLICK HERE! To read more go to the "ACES News Now!" tab.

My wife, Stacia, and I just returned for our 16 day honeymoon to Belize. Both my wife and I have a huge passion for wildlife and wildlife conservation, Stacia for birds and crocodilians for myself. We wanted to incorporate as many wildlife activities as possible, which in turn led us to Vince and Cherie with ACES. The first night we were on Ambergris Caye we met up with Vince, Chris, and Evan. We helped set a croc trap for a reported large nuisance crocodile and then went to relocate a previously captured croc to more isolated part of island farther north. By relocate, it meant we had to capture the croc from an enclosure, secure the animal on my lap and Stacia’s lap on the golf cart, and then drive it north to relocation site. Got a couple looks from bystanders but something told me this wasn’t the first time they have seen a croc on a golf cart. The second night we went with the crew to check on an area with some reported large crocodiles that showed signed of being fed by humans – however, by the end of the trip it became very apparent that there was a huge issue with people feeding wildlife on the island. We ended up catching a 11’5” American croc by the name of “Gumby,” named appropriately because he was missing so many teeth. He was a huge croc but the lack of teeth and the fact he was living in a sewage retention pond, were both worrisome. The third night we met up with the whole crew, which included Cherie, and also the local vet, Laurie, to do a CSI: Belize tour. Tour started with Vince and Cherie giving us some background about the crocs and why they were out there doing this work. Chris then manned the spotlight while Vince drove the boat and we were off to look for croc eyeshines. Saw a couple eyeshines from crocs and then Vince jumped out to catch a couple. At one point Vince said it was my turn so I got to assist with catching a couple smaller crocs of my own. After each of the crocs was captured, data was collected such as length, location, habitat, and then were tagged. Vince and Cherie had previously marked some of these animals and were very excited to see that they were still doing well in the wild.

Due to the current economic conditions, the Directors of BEEDFund have voted to dissolve the charity effective January 2013.

So BEEDFund is having one last fundraiser to help "Save San Pedro's Wildlife" through StayClassy. Our goal is $8,500 to complete a small wildlife refuge in San Mateo. The facility will enable volunteers to respond to all wildlife in need in Ambergris Caye and see that rescued animals are quickly and safely transported to the appropriate mainland facility under the direction of The Belize Forest Department.

Our final goal is by 2014 to have a full time Belize Wildlife Officer stationed at this new facility.

If you cannot donate at this time, please share with your family and friends. Maybe they know someone who can help animals in need being displaced by development.

Tia was rescued from a polluted area in San Pedro by Vince. This is her soft release prepared for her by the Tamandua Refuge, who was dedicated to her rehabilitatation and eventual re-release into the wild.